The Pip Berry Tree

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Friday, March 26, 2010

I'm finished! Amidst all the distractions I still got the slate done by today. Didn't think it was going to happen. It was Murphy's Law ruling this week...hopefully next week will be better. Happy Weekend everyone!!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

This is a very short and simple post, but one that I am hoping to get some comments on. I'd like to know what you think is the best time, best day to list your new items on Etsy? If you sell on Etsy that is. Please take a moment to reply.Warm Wishes.Dawn

Monday, March 22, 2010

Happy Monday to you! I hope everyone had a delightful weekend and got out in the fresh air. Here is Northeasten PA it was gorgeous! I have been searching for the Old Farmhouse Gathering artist of the day to feature and have found Marylin of Harvestmoonprims. www.harvestmoonprims.esty.com Marylin has a wonderful assortment of prim dolls, bowl fillers, Prim candles and melts, stitchery, and other lovely items.Marylin has been in the crafting business for over 25 years and sells her work on etsy, local shops and on her website www.mtswhimsey.com.Keep up the good work Marylin!Warm Wishes.Dawn

Thursday, March 18, 2010

I promised myself that this month I would make two new Levijane dolls, and so far, I am on my way to fulfilling that promise. Last week I cut the fabric pieces, and then earlier this week I soaked the muslin in coffee until it was stained the way I like it. My only problem with that step is the fact that I love coffee, and as soon as I smell it I want to drink it, but too much coffee makes me a bit cranky so....have to keep it to 16 0z. a day. :)

Once the fabric dried I ironed it and then began sewing the pieces together. Then last night, as I watched American Idol...bye Lacy :( , I stuffed one of the dolls. That's when I called it quits for the evening. My eye lids don't stay open past 10pm. try as I might.

So this morning after I took my son to the doctors, helped my daughter with her baby, walked the dog, all four of them...twice, and oh yea pruned one apple tree (have three more to go) I finally stuffed and sewed the other doll.

Tomorrow, barring nothing gets in my way...except maybe walking the dogs again, pruning the other three apples trees, and stacking a cord of wood behind the garage, oh yea and heading off to the store to check on my sales, then maybe I can begin to work on the hair and paint the faces.

It's the 18Th of March, so that means I have 13 days to go. I think I can! I think I can!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

I don't know what I love more the products or the fact that they are a family run business. I guess I'd have to say both. Family is so important, and to have something that you all work toward can bring the family closer together. Kudos to you at Redneck Candles for making it work as a family run business.They carry such interesting and Eco friendly products too. They carry Eco friendly laundry detergents in quite a variety of scents, handmade soaps from olive oil, gylcerine, goats milk, to rubber ducky shaped soaps and kiddy soap to which are perfect for kids party favors, all of which are reasonably priced. The rubber ducky soaps are my favorite! They also carry soy candles in different scents shapes and sizes, again, all are reasonably priced.Redneck Candles is one of my favorite stores on esty. Keep up the good work!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Spring is four days away and Easter is right around the corner. That means time for Easter egg hunts and loads of candy for the little ones in your life. Where will they put all the goodies they find that morning. Well, how about in a beautiful handcrafted basket from our friend Rose at Baskets By Rose? Her baskets have many other purposes from Easter candy and eggs, to a holder for biscuts, chips and pretzels, to a place to store small craft items, or check out her grab and go baskets with the dividers. They are excellent for housing paper plates and napkins. What a perfect touch to a summer picnic!Please click on her mini etsy I have one the left hand side of my blog to see all her lovely work.Rose dyes the reeds that she uses to weave each basket by hand, so colors may vary, but the quality of her work won't!Please stop by my friend Rose's shop and take a gander at her wonderful creations.

Monday, March 15, 2010

There are approximately 77.5 million "owned" dogs in the United States. That's a lot of dog people. I myself, own three wonderful four legged furry friends all of whom I consider my best friends. Two are German Shepherds and one is a Cockapoo, and of course they all have their own personalities, quirks, and likes and dislikes, but we all get along very well.

Levijane is my five year old, all black German Shepherd. She was a Valentine's day gift from my husband in 2004. I call her the gift that keeps on giving. LOl! Levi is a 110lb cuddle bunny. In fact, I have nicknamed her "Bunny Foo", and when I call her that in front of other that don't know her I get a strange look, because she is so fierce and scary looking and I am referring to her as "Bunny Foo". Oh well, to me she is and will always be that little ball of black fluff that I remember when I got her no matter how tough she looks.

Next up is Cinchie, my 10 year old Cockapoo that I rescued when she was 14 weeks old. She had been living in a crate most of those 14 weeks because the professional couple that bought her didn't have time for her (so why did they get her?) I don't know. Some people love the idea of a puppy until they realize that they are work and require time. It was their loss, because Cinchie is the most "do easy", funny little dog I've every had ( and I'm not a little dog person). She is actually the one who runs the show with the bigger dogs, and I love that about her.

Last but certainly not least, is my 12 year old German Shepherd, Woody. I fostered Woody in December 2007 after his owner, who had him for 10 years surrendered him to a local "high kill" dog shelter. The man was in the military and had been deployed, so to surrender his dog like that must have crushed the him. Woody was to be put to sleep within 24 hours, but it so happened someone I know was at the shelter the day Woody came in and told me about him, so Woody came to my house to stay until I found him his forever home. Two days later my home was his forever home. Woody has a very special place in my heart. He is the perfect gentlemen and German Shepherd. He has had two near brushes with death, but I was able to save him both times, however as I look at him now I realize that he is tired and the end is probably in the not to far off future. And although Woody is the dog I have spent the least years with, he is the one who stole my heart, and I will be terribly sadden when it comes time to say goodbye.

People who are not dog people don't understand the bond between dog and human. They say things like, "so what. It's just a dog." or, "So it died. Go get another one." But people who are dog people understand and cherish the bond between dog and human and know that yes, there may be another dog that will come into our life, but no dog will ever take the place of the dog you let into your heart.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

With the birth of spring right around the corner, I feel the need now, more then ever to be creative. The season seems to have the same effect on many. Whether it be cleaning the house or garage from top to bottom, washing and vacuuming the vehicle inside and out, weeding the gardens and prepping them to plant a new crop, painting a picture of blooming trees, capturing a photo of birds gathering a a feeder, or making that new dress for Easter. Spring in my opinion is the most inspirational time of year where we all seem to have a little more "pep in our steps".

Where I live it is very rural and beautiful. I am blessed to be able to look out my window and see open fields, rolling hills and mountains, beautiful hemlock woods, and a clear water lake. There is also an abundance of farm animals and wildlife that man the fields, roam the woods, fly the skies, and frolic and play over the rolling hills. All of this, I drawn my inspiration from.

I would like to know what inspires you. Is it the time or year? Where you live? Family and friends? A combination of things? How does spring effect your creativity? Are you most inspired during this time of year, or is it another time that helps your creative juices flow? Please share. :)

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About Me

I am a mother of five wonderful children, two of which service our country in the Army, and a Mom Mom of one lovely little boy. I have been married for 14 years to a terrific man, have three beautiful German Shepherds that I am absolutely crazy about, and volunteer for a German Shepherd rescue, and a low cost spay and neuter clinic. I live in a beautiful log home on 5 acres and am surrounded by glorious woods, rolling meadows, and peaceful lakes. It is heaven on earth here in the Pocono Mountains.